Visual images can be so powerful, can't they? This a photo of Indian school children praying during a candelit vigil marking the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. Just over 3,000 people died that day, if the 24 listed as missing are included. Nearly all were innocent civilians including nationals from 90 countries.
This was a highly effective act of terrorism, not so much because of the number of deaths (more people die daily around the world in traffic accidents) but because of the premeditated malice aimed at a nation and way of life. Most of us assumed that Canadians and Americans were shielded from this sort of senseless violence. The attacks in the U.S. and subsequent terrorist events in Spain and Great Britain made us feel less sure about our peace and security.
How do you feel eight years later? Billions have been spent on security measures and billions more on war. Has this made you feel more or less secure? Are you more suspicious of those who practice Islam? Is prayer a naiive response to terrorist evil? Can world peace be achieved?
6 comments:
So many questions.The billions spent have not made me feel more secure, they have made me mad. I am not suspicious of those practicing Islam any more then I am of those practicing Christianity. Prayer is a naive response to evil and we will never have world peace. I answered.
I think the level of fear in the world is due in large part to the tactics used by the United States after 9/11.
I never think prayer is a naive response to anything. To quote a well known proverb - there are more things are wrought in this world by prayer than we know. And it has been proven by science that prayer works. In some ways I still think those of us who live in North America are sheltered. In 2004 and 2006, I travelled to Great Britian for holiday trips and I remember thinking how much more seriously and visible (announcements and signage) the police, the warnings, and the military presence was in Great Britian then in Ontario.
Yet, there have been significant changes in the way my life has changed - I can not cross the Canadian/US border as easily as I once did and I am recorded as I go about my daily life - shopping or working or going out - whether by car or bus or walking.
The horror of that day is forever etched on my memory yet, this morning, I read where Charlie Sheen has given an interview saying that it was his belief that 9/11 was an American government hoax. I shake my head in bewilderment.
I didn't feel suspicious at all in my naive, insulated pre 9/11 life...my suspicion certainly increased after that awful day. My rational mind took over though, and knows there are good and bad in all faiths.
Yes, my suspicion is heightened...not towards any group but just to the possibilty of evil.
I suppose the security dollars have comforted me some, not the war dollars though.
I pray for world peace and I guess in some small space in my heart, I still believe that many generations from now, through small dedicated steps there is still potential for a peaceful world.
It sounds as though we are agreed that billions spent on retaliation have had limited effect. When will we learn about "an eye for an eye."
I certainly feel that the real enemy is fundamentalism in any form, not any one religion.
As perplexing as prayer can be, I will place my trust in a guided prayer over a guided missile any day.
I appreciate all of you taking the time to muse through my questions.
The billions spent on the war in Afghanistan is a travesty. Let's see...Bin Laden was supposed to be captured "dead or alive", but 8 years on, nobody talks about that anymore. So we continue imposing our western values on a nation that, when the troops eventually leave, will revert to their original state so to speak. The Taliban can sit back and laugh, as the NATO troops continue to train the Afghan army and police. Then, when the Taliban take over again, they will have well-trained forces working for them.
Any change in Afghanistan must come from within, not from foreign military force.
Meanwhile, the repatriations continue...
Oh, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan only breed more terrorism. If your family were destroyed by a foreign military power, what reaction would you have?
Hearing about the corruption during the recent election in Afghanistan certainly makes me wonder about the progress of change in that country.
We received word today of another Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan and my heart goes out to this family.
And the grim reminder this morning that Bin Laden is still out there spewing hatred.
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